The 424th Svarog Battalion of the Unmanned Systems Forces successfully destroyed an experimental Russian KOP-2 electronic warfare system on the frontlines. This rare and costly system was designed to counter Ukrainian drones by scanning the radio spectrum, detecting UAV channels, and jamming them. The KOP-2 was intended to protect valuable military assets, such as air defense systems. Despite its purpose, the system was damaged and ultimately destroyed by Ukrainian drone strikes in combat.
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On July 21, a fire erupted at a train station in the village of Kamenolomni in Rostov Oblast, approximately 38 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, due to falling drone debris. Simultaneously, Moscow experienced a drone attack, with reports of multiple drones being shot down by air defense systems. Emergency services were deployed to the crash sites, and flight restrictions were implemented at Moscow’s Domodedovo and Zhukovsky airports. This surge in drone attacks reflects a strategic shift in Ukraine’s campaign, aiming to disrupt Russian aviation and potentially weaken internal control.
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Following a directive from President Vladimir Putin, Russia is developing new restrictions on foreign messaging apps and software originating from “unfriendly countries.” This initiative aims to lessen Russia’s reliance on technologies from nations perceived as hostile. WhatsApp, owned by the Meta organization, is considered a likely target for blocking, having been declared an “extremist organization” in 2022. Meanwhile, Russian officials have been mandated to use Max, a messenger app with extensive surveillance capabilities that automatically transmits user data to servers linked to the Russian social network VK.
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Ukraine, as stated by President Volodymyr Zelensky, is pursuing the collection of $6.9 billion in international arbitration rulings against Gazprom. These rulings, along with a recent $1.37 billion win in Switzerland, demonstrate Russia’s responsibility and the strength of international law. Ukrainian ambassadors will receive instructions on how to recover these funds. This follows previous rulings finding Russia liable for Naftogaz asset expropriation in Crimea, with a French court authorizing the enforcement of a $5 billion award.
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Multiple powerful earthquakes struck off the coast of Russia’s Far East on Sunday, prompting a tsunami alert. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported a 7.4-magnitude earthquake, approximately 144 km east of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, as the most significant event. This was preceded by quakes of magnitudes 5.0 and 6.7. The USGS warned of potential hazardous tsunami waves within 300 kilometers of the epicentre due to the final, stronger quake. The Kamchatka peninsula, a seismic hot zone where the Pacific and North American tectonic plates meet, experienced these events.
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An OSINT investigation has revealed the internal structure and geographic footprint of Russia’s Center 16, a secretive FSB unit involved in electronic surveillance and cyber espionage. The findings, based on analysis of commemorative badges, identified at least ten directorates within the unit, each associated with a unique Cyrillic letter, as well as two regional branches. These badges also provided clues about the functions of each department, such as network operations and internal communications security, and allowed researchers to geolocate ten radio-electronic surveillance facilities across Russia. These facilities, including sites near Sochi and in Kaliningrad, form a strategic interception network for monitoring communications, including potential surveillance of NATO operations.
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According to German Major General Christian Freuding, Russia is preparing to launch up to 2,000 drones simultaneously on Ukraine, indicating a significant expansion of its drone production capabilities. Freuding emphasizes that this mass deployment could overwhelm Ukrainian air defenses, necessitating the development of cost-effective counter-drone solutions. He also highlighted that effective responses should include strikes on Russian military infrastructure and noted China’s exclusive export of drone components to Russia, effectively cutting off Ukraine from this supply chain.
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On July 20, the Atesh partisan group claimed responsibility for sabotaging a railway in Russia’s Tula Oblast, near the town of Medvedky, disrupting Russian logistics. The group stated that the sabotage, which involved destroying a relay cabinet, targeted a railway used to transport military personnel and supplies to the Kharkiv and Sumy oblasts fronts, leading to delays in deliveries. This attack, if confirmed, would impact the flow of ammunition, weapons, and dual-use components from factories in Tula. The Kyiv Independent was unable to independently verify the claims made by Atesh.
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Speaking at the LandEuro symposium in Wiesbaden, Germany, Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich emphasized the potential for simultaneous conflicts in Europe and the Pacific, possibly by 2027, requiring immediate preparation. He highlighted the need for increased weapons production across the 32-nation NATO alliance and closer military collaboration with industry. Grynkewich, also the NATO supreme allied commander, addressed ongoing efforts to increase support for Ukraine, particularly in air defense, and the importance of allies meeting defense spending pledges. Furthermore, he cautioned against viewing the threats posed by Russia and China as separate, stressing the need for a global approach to deterrence.
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Australia has delivered the first five M1A1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine as part of a military aid package, as confirmed by the Australian Department of Defense. This initial shipment is part of a larger commitment of 28 tanks, with the remaining tanks slated for phased delivery by mid-2026. The tanks, refurbished from the Australian Defense Force’s reserve stock, include support equipment and spare parts, aiming to bolster Ukraine’s armored capabilities. This delivery reflects Australia’s commitment to supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty.
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John Q. Hosedrinker